Ivory Coast And Former Newcastle Star Cheick Tiote Is Dead

Former Newcastle and Ivorycoast star Tioté has been confirmed dead at aged 30. Tioté after fainting during training with current club Beijing Enterprises and was afterwards rushed to local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Tioté, spent six seasons playing in the Premier League with Newcastle United after joining the side in August 2010 for a fee of £3.5m, before moving in February, 2017 to Chinese side Beijing Enterprises.

Tiotéplayed at both the 2010 and 2014 Fifa World Cups and was part of the Ivory Coast squad that lifted the 2015 African cup of nations trophy.

Tioté’s agent Emanuele Palladino confirmed the death of his client in a short statement and asked for the privacy of the player’s family to be respected. Tioté’s wife, Madah, is expecting their third child together this week.

“It is with deep sadness that I confirm that my client Cheick Tiote sadly passed away earlier today after collapsing in training with his club Beijing Enterprises,” he said in a short statement.

“We cannot say any more at the moment and we request that his family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.”

“We ask for all your prayers.”

Tioté’s club Beijing Enterprises also confirmed that the player had fainted during a routine training session before being rushed to hospital.

“During a routine training session at 6pm today, Ivory Coast player Cheik Tioté suddenly fainted and the club immediately rushed him to hospital, but unfortunately efforts to save him failed and he passed away at 7pm,” the club’s statement read.

“The player’s relatives have been informed. Beijing Enterprises football club expresses its deep sorrow and profound condolences for Mr Tioté’s untimely death.”

Tiote’s former team-mate at Newcastle, Demba Ba, tweeted:

“may Allah gives grant you jannah brother Tioté.” He included six crying emojis in his post.

Rafa Benitez, who briefly managed the player at Newcastle, said in a short statement: “It is with great sadness that I have this afternoon learned of Cheick’s death.

“In the all the time that I have known him, he was a true professional, dedicated and above all, a great man. Our hearts go out to his family and friends at such a sad time.”